Empress Room
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 15, 2007
- Messages
- 426
Disembarked from a fabulous cruise on the Fantasy October 10 (our 22nd on DCL). While at Castaway Cay on October 9, we encountered a much different Serenity Bay, and one which was decidedly less enjoyable.
Apparently, two weeks prior to our arrival, DCL decided to put lifeguards at this over-18 beach, stationed both in a lifeguard stand and in one to two jet skis by the Castaway Air Bar. Putting aside that this is an adult beach and whether or not adults should be subjected to the orders and commands of lifeguards when none were ever present for the first 17 years of relaxing at Serenity Bay, their collective conduct bordered on obnoxious and really did affect the enjoyment of this magical beach.
(By now, we all are aware that an adult drowned at Serenity Bay a number of months ago while swimming/snorkeling. I do not know the details of that singular tragedy, but the placement of lifeguards was clearly done as a result of this incident after DCL consulted with legal and "beach patrol experts," no doubt.)
First, the water at Serenity Bay is typically about two feet deep, depending on the tides, and fluctuates to about 3 to 3 1/2 feet past the sand bar. You have to venture out a long way - to the reef/breakwater, for the depth to change very much at all. Nonetheless, buoys have now been set up way before the sand bar and in front of the Castaway Air Bar, greatly reducing the swimmable area of the beach and making it impossible for guests to wade in the two-foot deep water to get to the sandbar. The jet skis routinely and repeatedly revved up and zoomed out into the water and those lifeguards scolded guests not to venture past the buoys and not to travel to the sand bar. Some did so nicely, some used their power, and their jet skis, to intimidate. Granted, some guests were more approachable about what seemed to be arbitrary buoy placements and swim areas, but the constant scolding and revving of the jet skis did disrupt this tranquil beach.
Second, the life guards in the stand used a megaphone to yell at guests who either had a snorkel on their face or in their hands, telling them that they were not allowed to snorkel (in the three-foot water) without a snorkel life vest. This was extended to anyone who was snorkeling without gear - i.e. anyone who put his or her face in the water without wearing a snorkel vest. A tad extreme to say the least.
In any event, there were a number of guests lodging complaints, both on the island and back on the Fantasy at guest services. A much down-sized swimming area, loud lifeguards shouting orders and buzzing guests with jet skis and otherwise disturbing the peace and quiet of Serenity Bay made this really special beach a bit less magical.
While we all understand the need for safety, and understand that a tragedy was the likely cause of this new policy, I am hopeful that DCL revisits this, or at least scales back the tactics used and restrictions now imposed. If the tactics and restrictions continue, there will be less incentive to make the extra effort to travel to the adult beach as this is one reason why many adults escape the family beaches on the other side of the island. It is an adult beach and adults should have much greater flexibility and responsibility in the way they conduct themselves, legal consequences aside.
Apparently, two weeks prior to our arrival, DCL decided to put lifeguards at this over-18 beach, stationed both in a lifeguard stand and in one to two jet skis by the Castaway Air Bar. Putting aside that this is an adult beach and whether or not adults should be subjected to the orders and commands of lifeguards when none were ever present for the first 17 years of relaxing at Serenity Bay, their collective conduct bordered on obnoxious and really did affect the enjoyment of this magical beach.
(By now, we all are aware that an adult drowned at Serenity Bay a number of months ago while swimming/snorkeling. I do not know the details of that singular tragedy, but the placement of lifeguards was clearly done as a result of this incident after DCL consulted with legal and "beach patrol experts," no doubt.)
First, the water at Serenity Bay is typically about two feet deep, depending on the tides, and fluctuates to about 3 to 3 1/2 feet past the sand bar. You have to venture out a long way - to the reef/breakwater, for the depth to change very much at all. Nonetheless, buoys have now been set up way before the sand bar and in front of the Castaway Air Bar, greatly reducing the swimmable area of the beach and making it impossible for guests to wade in the two-foot deep water to get to the sandbar. The jet skis routinely and repeatedly revved up and zoomed out into the water and those lifeguards scolded guests not to venture past the buoys and not to travel to the sand bar. Some did so nicely, some used their power, and their jet skis, to intimidate. Granted, some guests were more approachable about what seemed to be arbitrary buoy placements and swim areas, but the constant scolding and revving of the jet skis did disrupt this tranquil beach.
Second, the life guards in the stand used a megaphone to yell at guests who either had a snorkel on their face or in their hands, telling them that they were not allowed to snorkel (in the three-foot water) without a snorkel life vest. This was extended to anyone who was snorkeling without gear - i.e. anyone who put his or her face in the water without wearing a snorkel vest. A tad extreme to say the least.
In any event, there were a number of guests lodging complaints, both on the island and back on the Fantasy at guest services. A much down-sized swimming area, loud lifeguards shouting orders and buzzing guests with jet skis and otherwise disturbing the peace and quiet of Serenity Bay made this really special beach a bit less magical.
While we all understand the need for safety, and understand that a tragedy was the likely cause of this new policy, I am hopeful that DCL revisits this, or at least scales back the tactics used and restrictions now imposed. If the tactics and restrictions continue, there will be less incentive to make the extra effort to travel to the adult beach as this is one reason why many adults escape the family beaches on the other side of the island. It is an adult beach and adults should have much greater flexibility and responsibility in the way they conduct themselves, legal consequences aside.
